Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 10, 1943
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Sicily (Italy)
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 10, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 15, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from Sicily and shares his surprise regarding his brother Johnny getting married and his appreciation for her upcoming move to Grand Rapids, Michigan with its proximity to his family living in Detroit.
Olexa, Joseph P.
Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
In Copyright
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 9, 1943
United States. Navy--1940-1950.
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 9, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 14, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes from the Mediterranean island of Sicily and describes his job while on detached service with the Navy. He also describes his excitement in receiving fourteen of Agnes' letters and the many surprises written within them including her new job and her parents move to Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 23, 1943
V-mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 23, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 1, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes his fifth recent V-Mail to Agnes to ensure she hears from him and to let her know there may be a gap of time before he is able to write again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 21, 1943
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 21, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 23, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes about how greatly he misses Agnes and his wishing they will be together again someday, in addition to the film he saw the previous night called, "One Thrilling Night."
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 21, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 31, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a friendly message to Agnes appreciating the photographs she sent to him and sharing what he had been up to while awaiting being deployed once again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 19, 1943
Fourth of July
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 19, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 30, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe reminisces about the Fourth of July he spent together with Agnes and how he wishes he could have attended her graduation. He also mentions how he thought he would return home after the African Campaign and his resulting feeling of disappointment.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 18, 1943
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 18, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 30, 1943. In the V-Mail letter, Joe informs Agnes that he has been on special duty for two months and that it will be quite a while before he is able to return home to the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 24, 1943
Africa, North
Flying Tigers (Motion picture)
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 24, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 27, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including ''The Flying Tigers" and "The Major and the Minor." He also expresses gratitude for living through his current campaign overseas and his hope to return to Fort Devens in the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1943
Ameche, Don
Bennett, Joan, 1910-1990
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and discusses the most recent movies he has seen including "The Amazing Mrs. Holliday" and another starring Don Ameche and Joan Bennett.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 20, 1943
Easter
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 20, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 23, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and reaches a personal record for longest letter that reaches eight pages in length. In those pages, he covers various subjects such as the war in Africa ending and how he spent Easter Sunday in a fox hole.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 1, 1941
Travel
National parks and reserves--United States
Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)
Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 1, 1941. The letter is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry of Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In the letter, Joe writes of his surprise visit home to see his family in Detroit and his prior travels across the western United States and North America while working various jobs in the years prior to enlisting in the Army.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 23, 1941
Detroit (Mich.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 23, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry of Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In the letter, Joe expresses his surprise in learning Agnes is also from Michigan and writes about his family in Detroit. He also looks forward to the day when they finally meet and he hopes to continue their friendship and correspondence after Agnes returns to school.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 25, 1941
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 25, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, U.S. Army Transport, Hunter Liggett-Carib Force, dated July 28, 1941. In the letter, Joe introduces himself to Agnes for the first time, describing his looks and personality and expresses hope for a future friendship with Agnes.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, March 13, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated March 13, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated March 14, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her relief over Joe's new assignment away from the front lines and hopes he will receive a furlough to return home once again.
Van Der Weide, Agnes
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, March 8, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated March 8, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated March 9, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her excitement over receiving the care package from Joe including a treasured photograph of him, handmade souvenirs, and valentines. She also writes that she is looking forward to his birthday and dreams of the day when they can furnish their future home together.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, February 22, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated February 22, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 23, 1945. In the letter, Agnes writes how she is eagerly awaiting the gift package Joe sent to her and how sorry she was regarding her previous letters being undelivered during her time away with Helen.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, February 11, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated February 11, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 13, 1945. In the letter, Agnes discusses her happiness over receiving Joe's latest letter and how much she looks forward to the day when he finally returns home and they can build their life together.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 30, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 30, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated February 1, 1945. In the letter, Agnes updates Joe on how her family are doing as she awaits another letter from him that winter.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 24, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 24, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated January 25, 1945. In the letter, Agnes expresses her feelings on marriage and her hopes for her future with Joe, while consoling him on his nervous condition and reassuring him that there are brighter days ahead for the couple.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, January 18, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated January 18, 1945. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated January 19, 1945. In the letter, Agnes is relieved to hear from Joe again and describes what he may have missed in her other letters such as her vacation at Helen's and the money she received from him.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, December 12, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated December 12, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated December 13, 1944. In the letter, Agnes tells Joe how much she misses and loves him and dreams of their future children.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, December 3, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated December 3, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated December 7, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes her trip from Conewango Valley back to Grand Rapids, Michigan with family and friends and expresses appreciation for Joe as her future husband.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 22, 1944
Handwritten letter with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 22, 1944. In the letter, Agnes describes her adventures with Helen and Gaylord in New York, going to the movies and exploring the countryside in search of turkeys while looking ahead to Joe's third Thanksgiving overseas.
Letter from Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, November 20, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Agnes Van Der Weide to Joe Olexa, dated November 20, 1944. The envelope is sent from 1913 Berkley Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated November 20, 1944. In the letter, Agnes writes of her journey taking the train to Buffalo, New York, and spending the week in Conewango Valley with Helen and Gaylord while experiencing their first snow fall for the year.